Being comfortable in a virtual environment, being a self-disciplined leaner and being able to preserve are among the characteristics that I believe make a successful online learner. My previous experience in online courses and my graduate education have prepared me to enter a program that has the majority of its curriculum online.
During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to take a few of my courses online. I am comfortable utilizing the technology and resources in online classrooms. Additionally, I learned how to adapt to different online platforms. One course required bi-weekly contributions to a discussion thread. This helped me become more comfortable expressing myself in writing as opposed to verbal discussions in a traditional classroom. In another course the final project was a group project, it was the first time I was part of a group that I would never meet face-to-face. Everything was coordinated and shared over email. Although different, both assignments made the online courses engaging and helped to enrich my learning experience.
Aside from basic technology skills, success in online courses requires self-motivated learning and good time-management
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The curriculum was demanding and finding a balance between class, seminars, and research was challenging at first. I was responsible for designing and executing experiments that would support my thesis. I had to make and meet deadlines not only for classes but for conferences and seminars. The progress of my degree and my research depended on me showing up every day and taking responsibility for my learning and my goals. Eventually, I learned how to better manage my time. Scheduling time for each task by writing in a physical planner turned out to work best for me. It kept me on track and allowed me to look ahead and plan continuously. Graduate school taught me to learn in new ways; how to be self-motivated and how to take
Who would have ever thought taking a college course would require one to learn how to learn? It is a good concept we normally undergo at a very young age. At the pre-school age one will find children learning their strength and weakness through their playtime. As adults we almost forget we have to learn how to learn to continue growth in our workplace, school, and in life. In our second week of online classes I learned strengths and weakness in my learning style with the aid of learning assessments, personality spectrums, and time management logs. In this paper, I intend to describe the various components of my learning style and outline a plan to improve my time management and study skills.
However, when a student takes an online class the student and professor are at a disadvantage of building an interpersonal relationship. For example, a professor is unable to read the nonverbal cues of a struggling student through a computer screen or is unable to tell if a student is experiencing a true emergency. Just as, a student is unable to read their professors nonverbal cues that a particular chapter or assignment is vital to passing the course. I have taken classes on campus and online classes for three semesters now and have learned that regardless of class format a student needs to be dedicated, structured, self-motivated and not afraid to ask questions. A disadvantage of taking an online class is if a web portal is not working properly.
Wang, C., Shannon, D. M., & Ross, M. E. (2013). Students’ characteristics, self-regulated learning, technology self-efficacy, and course outcomes in online learning. Distance Education, 34(3), 302-323. doi:10.1080/01587919.2013.835779
When it comes to writing you definitely need to be self motivated and disciplined, I’ve learned in my life that committed and stable routines often lead to better learning practices. You always need to be open-minded about sharing your life with others online because the relationships you build between your classmates and instructors is a very important part of the online learning experience. I fully believe part of the learning process is sharing your personal experiences through writing and reading. You have to be able to think of your ideas thoroughly and then give your best responses; everyone might not always be correct, but if you’re a great listener you’ll get more out of the lessons you learn through other students lives, and advice from your instructors.
Online distance learning meets the needs of an ever-growing population of students who cannot or prefer not to participate in traditional classroom settings. These learners include those unable to attend traditional classes, who cannot find a particular class at their chosen institution, who live in remote locations, who work full-time and can only study at or after work, and those who simply prefer to learn independently. The minimum requirement for students to participate in an online course is access to a computer, the Internet, and the motivation to succeed in a non-traditional classroom. Online courses provide an excellent method of course delivery unbound by time or location allowing for accessibility to instruction at anytime from anywhere. Learners find the online environment a convenient way to fit education into their busy lives. The ability to access a course from any computer with Internet access, 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a tremendous incentive for many of today’s
Online education, while offering clear advantages such as supporting a self-paced learning experience by allowing learning on an on-demand basis rather than a strict class schedule, also has significant drawbacks. Students in an online only course may struggle with structure and content without hands-on instruction, which can help motivate students who otherwise may be distracted or have difficulty working independently. The traditional structure of classroom education is effective, but also comes with a set of obstacles, particularly for nontraditional students. The best way to bridge this gap is hybrid education, which combines technology and personal interaction to support efficiency and self-paced learning while keeping students motivated, social, and connected to their professors and their peers through face to face interactions. While this newer learning model is still under investigation, there is evidence to prove that hybrid courses can lead to academic success.
Not all students can adapt to virtual learning, as students have to be good readers and the online program may lack the auditory support found in traditional classes. They also must be self-motivated and organized so as to keep track of their work and assignment due dates. Students wishing to take classes that require direct instruction and use of materials not available at home, such as science classes requiring lab work or cooking classes, may have to enroll in classes elsewhere. There has also been some concern “that students who are enrolled full-time in online public schools may suffer from a lack of opportunities for socialization, and consequently may fail to develop important social skills” (Sivin-Kachala & Bialo, 2009, p. 2). There are both pros and cons to virtual learning.
There are also many conveniences and benefits to taking an online class over a traditional, face-to-face class. Many students benefit logistically, financially, and from the course structure itself. Online classes provide the student with more opportunities to be successful in their coursework. Online courses can be completed based on the student's own schedule, provide for faster and less nervous interactions with instructors, and in many cases, are more educationally beneficial setting alternatives to traditional, face-to-face classes. In fact, Sixty-seven percent of academic professionals evaluated online courses as equivalent to as or better than face-to-face courses (Lytle).
In a study that measured online students’ ability to achieve the same efficiency of course material as face-to-face students, at least 98% of students reported that they had, so one may be led to believe that online learning is just as efficient as face-to-face courses (Liebowitz, 2003).
Today’s generation is like no other. The nation as a whole has completely evolved from past times, with technology being one of the greatest improvements. Traditionally, schooling takes place in a classroom setting, but, with the many modifications in our world’s system, we are able to assimilate more modern means of education, such as online learning. However, with many changes comes differences and requires adjustments. The online learning system has proven to be just as effective as traditional learning, with some minor differences, however, nothing of great significance. A few of those insignificant differences include online learning being convenient, especially for the non-traditional students,
...nditions. Students taking online classes might find it easier to attend family gatherings, traveling, and attended to personal needs. An online class allows the students to work on their own time, to whereas the traditional classes they have to stick with a schedule.
The author supposes the design of teaching methods and learning activities would prove vital in online students’ success. The author further states online learning (E-learning) aids in self-regulated learning (SRL), and is thought to be a way to assist learners individually. Self-regulated learning is defined by the author as “the efforts put forth by students to control and monitor their motivation, concentration, and affective aspect to protect their goals.” Studies show that teachers’ feedback plays a critical role in students’ controlling their learning and becoming self-regulated learning.
Those who disagree with me think that online learning allows a student to learn at their own pace. Students are able to take the time to understand and figure out problems with the resources that are provided. The convenience of learning in an environment that is conducive to that particular students learning is provided by the student. If the student feels comfortable they are more apt
In today’s technological advancements, people have various options to educating themselves online. “All education is self-education [...] We don’t learn anything we don’t want to learn.” (Chernoff). Much of the learning process is self education, and one can only learn what one desires to learn. The people who receive a real education are the one’s who take initiative to self educate themselves. This has been made substantially easier due to the Internet. Nowadays, there are so many online courses available, which allow students to work at
The implementation of online learning in many universities has proven to be a successful method of course delivery (Regan, Evmenova, Baker, Jerome, Spencer, Lawson, & Werner, 2012). Dickson-Dean, Galyen, and Moore (2011) proposed that online learning can promote successful learning opportunities for students as well as rewarding benefits for all educational stakeholders. Factors that contribute to the success of online learning include, but are not limited to, flexibility and accessibility, cost reduction, increased retention, and varied learning opportunities (Neely & Tucker, 2010). Online learning and associated technology is becoming increasingly adaptable and can be used to meet the educational needs of all students while providing opportunities for differentiated instruction (Krishnakumar & Kumar, 2011). Online learning provides both students and instructors with opportun...